UNE-EN 60079-14-2016 PDF

Full title and description

UNE-EN 60079-14:2016 — Atmósferas explosivas. Parte 14: Diseño, elección y realización de las instalaciones eléctricas (Explosive atmospheres — Part 14: Electrical installations — design, selection and erection). This is the Spanish adoption of the European/IEC document that defines requirements for the design, selection, erection and initial inspection of electrical installations in areas where explosive atmospheres may occur.

Abstract

This standard specifies requirements that are additional to installations in non-hazardous locations and covers electrical installation design, equipment selection, wiring systems, protection techniques, installation methods, verification and initial inspection for hazardous (explosive) atmospheres. It applies to fixed, portable, transportable and personal electrical equipment where used in or associated with explosive atmospheres and is aligned with the corresponding IEC/EN edition and corrigendum adopted in 2016.

General information

• Status: Superseded — originally published and adopted in 2016; later editions/updates of IEC/EN (EN IEC 60079-14 / IEC 60079-14:2024 and the UNE adoption dated 2025) replace this 2016 text for the most current requirements.
• Publication date: 06 April 2016 (UNE adoption date).
• Publisher: AENOR (Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación) — Spanish adoption of EN/IEC.
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 — Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres.
• Edition / version: UNE adoption of EN 60079-14:2014 with corrigendum (aligned with IEC 60079-14:2013/COR1:2016) — 2016 edition.
• Number of pages: Approximately 150 pages (published AENOR/retail descriptions list ca. 150–155 pages depending on print/PDF format).

Scope

Defines the specific requirements for the design, selection, erection and initial inspection of electrical installations in, or associated with, explosive atmospheres. The standard is intended to ensure that electrical installations do not become sources of ignition and that equipment is selected and installed according to its type of protection, rated characteristics and the classification of hazardous zones. It is applicable to installations under standard atmospheric conditions as defined in IEC 60079-0 and does not address toxic risks from flammable materials.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of hazardous areas (zones) and guidance on zoning principles for gases, vapours and dusts.
• Selection of equipment by type of protection (e.g., flameproof Ex d, increased safety Ex e, intrinsic safety Ex i, pressurized Ex p, non-sparking Ex n, etc.) and verification of suitability for the environment.
• Rules for installation of wiring systems, cable selection, glands and joints to maintain the integrity of protection.
• Earthing/grounding, bonding, segregation, segregation of circuits, and measures to prevent electrostatic ignition.
• Requirements for inspection, initial verification, testing and documentation (installation records, marking and maintenance instructions).
• Additional requirements where environmental conditions (corrosive atmospheres, water ingress, non‑standard temperatures/pressures) may affect equipment selection or installation methods.

Typical use and users

Used by electrical designers, installation contractors, plant engineers, inspection bodies, safety managers and certification/remediation teams working in petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, gas distribution, wastewater treatment and other industries where explosive atmospheres may occur. The document is a reference for compliance with national regulations on hazardous-area electrical installation and for preparing installation and maintenance procedures.

Related standards

Part of the IEC/EN 60079 series; closely related standards include IEC/EN 60079-0 (general requirements), 60079-10-1/10-2 (area classification), 60079-17 (inspection and maintenance of electrical installations), 60079-11 (intrinsic safety), and other parts of the 60079 family covering specific protection techniques. National adoptions and subsequent EN/IEC consolidated editions (EN IEC 60079-14:2024 and UNE-EN IEC 60079-14:2025) update or replace the 2016 text.

Keywords

Explosive atmospheres, hazardous areas, Ex installations, zone classification, electrical installation, intrinsic safety, flameproof equipment, increased safety, cable glands, earthing, initial inspection, IEC 60079, EN 60079.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UNE-EN 60079-14:2016 is the Spanish adoption (AENOR) of the European/IEC standard covering electrical installations in explosive atmospheres — it provides requirements for design, selection, erection and initial inspection of such installations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers zoning, selection of equipment according to protection type and ratings, installation practices (wiring, cabling, glands, enclosures), earthing and bonding, measures to avoid ignition sources, and requirements for testing, verification and documentation of the installation. It applies to fixed, portable and transportable equipment used under standard atmospheric conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Electrical designers, installation contractors, plant and maintenance engineers, safety officers, inspection bodies and certifying authorities in industries with potential explosive atmospheres (oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, utilities, etc.).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2016 UNE-EN edition was current when published; however, IEC/EN consolidated and revised editions were issued later (IEC/EN 60079-14 updated in 2024 and adopted as a UNE-EN IEC edition in 2025). For the most up-to-date requirements and national legal references you should consult the latest EN/UNE edition (EN IEC 60079-14:2024 / UNE-EN IEC 60079-14:2025).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 14 of the IEC/EN 60079 series (standards for equipment and installations in explosive atmospheres). The series comprises many parts covering general requirements, area classification, specific protection methods and test procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Explosive atmospheres, hazardous areas, zone 0/1/2, equipment protection, Ex d/e/i/p/n, intrinsic safety, earthing, wiring systems, initial inspection, IEC 60079.